NAVI MUMBAI: Illegal sand mining activities have resumed at many places in the city and other parts of Raigad in the past few days. Environmentalist Sumaira Abdulali of NGO Awaaz Foundation has written letters to the Navi Mumbai police, Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority and Raigad district officials highlighting the issue.

“In the creek between Kharghar and Mansarovar railway stations, boats and barges can be seen late at night stealing sand by using heavy-duty suction pumps. The filter used to clean the wet sand can also be seen,” said Abdulali.

In June 2014, Awaaz Foundation had made a similar complaint with regards to the illegal sand mining at this same spot between Kharghar and Mansarovar, following which the Navi Mumbai police had raided the site and seized five boats, suction pumps, wet sand and also arrested 16 persons on the spot.

While sand mining had reduced considerably since the police action last year, of late such activities have started again late at night to avoid being detected.

A Navi Mumbai crime branch official said they were looking at the matter.

Another city-based activist has complained to the office of Panvel tehsildar about sand mining in other spots in Kharghar, Kamothe and also within the area of the international airport. Panvel taluka officials said they were aware of the resumption of sand mining and would take action.

Sources said even at Kihim beach in Raigad district the sand was being steadily eroded due to such illegal activities.